Rape investigation of Copperfield closed

SEATTLE - Federal prosecutors closed a two-year investigation into rape allegations against magician David Copperfield on Tuesday without filing charges.

The notice came in a brief court document filed Tuesday by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Roe.

The woman who made the complaint, a 22-year-old fashion model and former Miss Washington contestant, said in a related civil lawsuit against Copperfield that she met him during a performance in Kennewick and was invited to visit his private island in the Bahamas in July 2007.

The woman claimed that once she arrived, Copperfield, whose real name is David Kotkin, sexually assaulted her.

The illusionist's lawyers said he denied the allegations and called the lawsuit "extortion for money, plain and simple."

The U.S. attorney's office in Seattle declined to discuss why no charges were filed. In a written statement, spokeswoman Emily Langlie said that generally, investigations may be closed without charges if prosecutors determine there is no federal jurisdiction, no federal laws were broken, or that it would not be possible to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

"Neither the investigation, nor its termination, should be perceived as a comment on guilt or innocence," the statement said.

Copperfield's lawyers did not immediately have a comment when contacted Tuesday. Lawyers for the woman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.